Correctional Counseling and Treatment
Abstract
Correctional Counseling and Treatment, Sixth Edition, is designed to provide
information on the counseling and treatment methods currently being used in
community and institutional corrections in the United States. The treatment
methods and approaches that are most often used by criminal justice agencies are
presented. The book is not comprehensive, since some treatment and counseling
methods are not included. Those that appear to be the most useful to correctional
personnel who provide supervision and counseling to those under supervision of
justice agencies are examined. The treatment methods presented in the chapters and
illustrated through information obtained from interviews with practitioners
employed in criminal justice agencies appear to be those most relevant to the
current practices of correctional agencies.
In the Sixth Edition of Correctional Counseling and Treatment, all of the
chapters are new and original, written by the author of the book or by invited
authors.
When the first edition of Correctional Counseling and Treatment was published
in 1981, there was a debate over the purposes and effectiveness of correctional
treatment. Kratcoski (1981, p.vii) noted, “A key element in the controversy that has
arisen over the comparative effectiveness of various treatment programs is the fact
that the purpose of correctional treatment has come to be regarded as prevention of
recidivism.” This statement on the purposes of corrections was not accepted by
everyone. Kratcoski, (1981, p.vii) noted “At that time, many of the persons
employed in correctional agencies maintained that the goals of correctional treatment
must be more broadly defined, and that successful treatment should be
measured not only in terms of a lack of recidivism, but also by such progress as
improved mental health, ability to perform adequately in a work situation, successful
adjustment in the community, and appropriate handling of interpersonal
relationships.”
Collections
- School of Humanities [47]